Mandatory meningitis vaccine for college could cost you – unless you’re still 18

THE LATEST: Here’s a full story that ran in the Chronicle’s print version on Tuesday, May 29.

UPDATE: A San Jacinto College visor can get students a $110 meningitis shot at CVS pharmacies, according to Bill Raffetto, San Jac’s vice president of enrollment services. That’s the cheapest cash retail price identified by The Houston Advocate so far! Galveston College is offering on-campus vaccines through an in-house voucher system that can charge the cost of shots to students’ financial aid.

This list of options will be updated as more information becomes available.

University of Houston-Downtown student Aysenur Yilmaz, 23, got a $15 meningococcal vaccine in January, but those discounted shots are no longer available for adults at Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services clinics. (Johnny Hanson | Chronicle)

Starting Jan. 1, all students under 30 enrolling in Texas colleges and universities must show proof of the vaccine or a booster within the last five years – or opt out by filing a conscientious objection or medical exemption.

Thankfully for the 18-year-olds, in some settings you’re not really “grown.” For those under 19 who are uninsured, Medicaid eligible (you don’t have to be enrolled), underinsured, American Indian, Alaskan Native or enrolled in CHIP, you qualify for a low-cost vaccine under the Vaccines for Children program.

The most popular and urgent question: What happened to the $15 vaccines? Answer: They’re gone and the state won’t be distributing more any time soon to local health departments or community health centers, according to Texas Department of State Health Services spokesman Chris Van Deusen. There’s a slight chance that a few leftovers may be found and they should be available for a nominal administration fee – $15 or $20.

Here’s a sampling of current out-of-pocket prices* around the Houston area:

Harris County Public Health: Out of shots, except for those who quality under the Vaccines for Children program

(* Can vary by location.)

The scramble is on because this calendar year marks the expansion of a previous law that only applied to students living on campus.

There are different ways to file a conscientious exemption that depend on your living arrangements.

If you plan to live OFF CAMPUS, simply download a form here that must be signed, notarized and returned to your school.

If you plan to live ON CAMPUS, you will need to order an affidavit from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Click here to complete an online form. The affidavit that should arrive within 10 days and will need to be signed, notarized and returned to your institution.

Adolescents 16 to 21 are at greatest risk for contracting meningitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.